US backs Libya's suspension from Human Rights Council

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday unanimously suspended Libya's membership in the U.N. Human Rights Council because of violence by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi against protesters. The body last week decided to suspend Libya's membership from the 47-nation body, accusing Libyan authorities last Friday of 'gross and systematic violations of human rights. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the suspension, the council's decision to set up an investigation into human rights abuses in Libya, and the U.N. Security Council's referral of Libya to the International Criminal Court.